Viewers Hated This 2023 Emma Stone Comedy Series, but Nolan Calls It "Groundbreaking'

Summary

• The Curse is a new Showtime series starring Emma Stone that has caused quite a stir with its unconventional plot.
• The show received high marks from critics and even Christopher Nolan himself was enthusiastic about it.
• However, audiences have received the show with a cold shoulder.

The Curse is one of the most unusual TV phenomena of recent years. First, it's one of Showtime's most high-profile releases. Second, it was presented by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, with Emma Stone as co-star and co-executive producer. Third, the show is one of the most original takes on the narrative about white privileged people that quickly takes a completely unexpected and even surreal turn. Fourth, audiences hated it.

Critics, however, disagreed with ordinary viewers, who walked out after reading rave reviews. Recently, even none other than one of the most unconventional and experimental filmmakers, Christopher Nolan, shared his impressions of the series. It's probably no surprise that he loved it.

What's the New Emma Stone Show About?

The Curse follows Whitney and Asher Siegel (Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder) who, with the help of their sort-of friend and producer Dougie Schecter (Benny Safdie), are trying to launch a new show promoting the sale of eco-friendly real estate. Few people are interested in the show, and the Siegels have a bad reputation because Whitney's parents are slumlords. Then one day, Asher is 'cursed' by a girl he took the promised $100 from.

And so begins the Siegels' and Dougie's journey into a maddening reflection on their deeds and their consequences, on how they might actually be cursed. But that's just the premise, as the show takes some absolutely insane turns.

High Praise from Christopher Nolan

The series has proven to be highly original, thanks to its incredible mashup of genres. As a result, the series has been praised by Christopher Nolan, as he shared during a Q&A provided by Showtime.

'It's an incredible show, and it's unlike anything I've ever seen on television before, the filmmaker said. 'There are so few shows that come along that have genuinely no precedence. You're going back to things like Twin Peaks, or The Prisoner, or Dennis Potter's Singing Detective and things like that, so you're in an amazing space, and I can't wait to catch up with the climax.'

In particular, Nolan noted the fine performance of Emma Stone, who was not afraid to make her character completely unlikable.

'[I] want to talk about Emma Stone. And Whitney, because it's—she's absolutely, I don't think it's a spoiler to say, as the series develops, she can be pretty maddening at times, in a very credible way. The performance I think, is absolutely amazing and wonderful. She's totally in it. And there is an absolute lack of, I mean, for a star to play a part with an absolute lack of vanity, and no apander to the audience. No appealing to the audience.'

A Stark Contrast Between Critics' and Viewers' Reviews

Christopher Nolan is right about one thing — there is no appealing to the audience. At Rotten Tomatoes, the critics gave the series the most enthusiastic reviews with an impressive score of 94%. In stark contrast, however, is the audience score, which is a measly 41%.

The show may not have realized what kind of audience it was targeting, but it certainly didn't try to come off as comfortable or formulaic: initially presented as yet another satire about guilt-ridden white people with money, The Curse quickly takes on a more surreal tone, especially in the finale, as Nolan rightly points out, almost in the spirit of David Lynch.

However, many viewers noticed that the series was more of an attempt by Nathan Fielder, Benny Safdie and Emma Stone to present a self-indulgent story that only delves further into self-loathing but offers no comfort to marginalized groups suffering from the antics of the rich. Well, apparently that's what fancy filmmakers like these days.

Source: Showtime.